Machine for manufacturing and boxing matches.



No. 643,0m.

Y Patented Feb. 6, |900. H. SEVENE & E. D. CAHEN.

MACHINE FDH MANUFACTURING AND BOXING MATCHES.

(Application filed Aug. 21, 1897.) (No Model.) I5 Sheets-Sheet I.

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No. 643,0!0. Patented Feb. 6, |900. H. SEVENE & E. D. CAHEN.

MACHENE FOB MANUFACTURING AND BUXING MATCHES.

(Application led Aug. 21, 1897.) (No Model.) I5 Sheets-Sheet 2.

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No. 643,040. Patented Feb. 6, |900. H. SEVENE &. E. D. CAHEN.

MACHINE FUR MANUFACTURING AND BOXING MATCHES.

`(Application filed Aug. 21, 1897.) (No Model.) l5 Sheets-Shui 3.

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No. 643,010. Patented Feb. 6, |900. H. sEvENE e. E. n. cAHEN.

MACHINE FCR MANUFACTURING AND BOXING MATCHES.

(Application led Aug. 21, 1897.)

(No Model.)

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. No.` 6435010. Patented Fab. s, |9oo.` H. sEvNE E. n. cAHEN.

MACHINE FCR MANUFACTURING AND. BUXING MATCHES.

- (Application filed Aug; 21, 1897,)

(No Model.) I5 Sheets-Sheet 5.

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No. 643,0I0.

(No Model.)

Patented Feb. 6, |900.

H. svNE & E. n. cAHEN. MACHINE FUR MANUFACTURING AND BOXING MATCHES.

(Application led Aug. 21, 1897K) I5 Sheets-Sheet 6.

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No. 643mm. i Patenfa Feb. 6, |900.

H. svENE s. E. D. CAHEN.

MACHINE FCR MANUFACTURING AND BOXING MATCHES.

(Application led Aug. 21, 1897.) (No Model.) l5 Sheets-Sheet 7,

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No. 643,010. Patented Feb. 6, |900. H. SEVENE &. E. D. CAHEN.

MAEHINE FOB MANUFACTURING AND BOXING MATCHES.

(Application led Aug. 21, 1897.) (No Modal.) I5 Sheets-Sheet 8.

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No. 643,0I0. Patented Feb. 6, |900. H. SEVENE E. D. CAHEN.

MACHINE FOR MANUFACTURING AND BOXING MATCHES.

(Application led Aug. 21, 1897.) (ND Modal.) I5 Sheets-Sheet 9.

nonno oo No. 643,0I0. Patented Feb. 6, |900.

H. svNEe E. u. eAHEN.

MACHINE FOR MANUFACTURING AND BOXING MATCHES.

(Application filed Aug. 21, 1897.) (No Model.) I5 Sheets-Sheet I0.

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No. 643,0I0. Patented Feb 6, |900 H. SEVENE & E. D. CAHEN. MACHINE FOR MANUFACTURING AND BOXING MATCHES.

(Application filed Aug. 21, 1897.) (No Model.) I5 Sheets-Sheet Il.

THEIR /ITTORN EYS Patented Feb. 6, |900.

I5 Sheets-Sheet l2.

No. 643,0I0.

H. SEVENE E. D. CAHEN.

MACHINE FOR MANUFACTURING AND BOXING MATCHES.

(Application filed Aug. 21, 1897.) (No Modal.)

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H. Svke & E. D. cAHEN. MACHINE FUR MANUFACTURING AND BOXING MATCHES.

l (Application med Aug. 21, 1897.)

(No Model.) I5 Sheets-Sheet I3.

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No. 643,0lo.

Patented Feb. 6, |900. H. SEVENE & E. D. CAHEN.

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No. 643,0l0. Paten'ted Feb. 6, |900. H. SEVENE & E. D- CAHEN. MACHINE FOR MANUFACTURING AND BOXING MATCHES.A

(Application med Aug. 21, 1897.) (No Model.) l5 Sheets-Sheet 15.

mJHEm hTTonNE me Nonms paens co. wHoTaLxmo., WASHINGTON, n. c4

IIENRI sEvENE AND EMILE DAVID cAHEN, oF PARIS, FRANCE.

MACHINE FOR MANUFACTURING AND BOXINGY MATCHES.

SFECIFOATION' forming part of Letters Patent No. 643,010, dated vFebruary 6, 1900.

Application Jfiled August 21, 1897. Serial No. 649,036. (No model.)

T0 @ZZ whom' t may concern.:

Beit known that We, HENRI SVNE and EMILE DAVID CAHEN, citizens of the Republic of France, residing in Paris, France, have invented an Improved Machine for the Complete and Continuous Manufacture of Matches, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a machine constructed with the View of solving the problem of manufacturing matches in a continuous and complete manner by machinery. The- Inachine receives the primary materials of man ufactureviz., the match splints orstems of wood or wax and the tire-producing substances, (sulfur, para-iiin,&c. dippingpastes, (chemical, chlorated, che.) All these operations are eiected under the condition that the matches from the time of sulfuring or paratiining are never at any time in contact with the air of the workshop, so that no deleterious vapor can vitiate the atmosphere of the latter.

In order that no doubt may arise as to the nature of our invention and as to the manner in which it may be carried out, we shall now proceed to describe it in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 of the drawings is a longitudinal. elevation of the entire machine, certain parts being shown in section. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of that part of the machine which is designed to receive the undipped matches, to arrange them, and to fix them in the endless carrier or chain. Fig. 3 is a vertical section according to the line 3 3 of Fig. 4, which is a horizontal section according to the line 4 4. of Fig. 3. Fig. 4a shows a portion ot' Fig. t drawn to a larger scale. Fig. 5 is a vertical section according to the line 5 5, Fig. 3, the

view being taken from the left-hand side of the plane of section. Fig. 6 is a vertical section according to the line 6 6 of Fig. 3,- the View being taken from the right-hand side of the plane of section. Figs. 7, 7a, and 8 are vertical sections reproducing a portion of Fig. 3 on larger scales, showing the carriage for conveying the match-splints to the endless carrier in three different positions, Figs. 7 and 8 showing it at the two ends of its travel and Fig. 7n at the center of its travel. Fig. 9 is a vertical section drawn to the same scale and according to the line 9 9 of Fig. 7, the view being taken from the left-hand side of the .plane of section. Fig. 9 reproduces, on a larger scale, a portion of Fig. 9. Fig. 10 is a vertical section drawn to the same scale and according to the line lO 10 of Fig. 7, the View being taken from the right-hand side of the plane ofsection. Fig. 10a reproduces, on a larger scale, a portion of Fig. 10. Fig. 11 shows in front elevation, side elevation, and plan, to a still larger scale, a portion of the chain or carrier and represents the connection of the plates with their links. Fig. 12

is a vertical longitudinal section along'the axis of that part of the machine which is designed to effect the burning and the sulfuring or paraftining of the matches. Fig. 12a represents the right-hand end of Fig. 12, on a larger scale, and shows the cleanser attached to the end of this part of the machine. Fig. 13 is a half-plan ofthe same. Fig. 14 is a cross-section according to the line 14 14 of Fig. 12. Fig. 15 is a vertical section, according to the line 15 15 of Fig. 16, of that part of the machine which corresponds to the dipping of the matches. Fig. 15a is a vertical section on line 15a 15a of Fig. 15. Fig. 16 is a vertical section according to the line 16 16 of Fig. 15. Fig. 16@ is a horizontal section taken on line 16L 16a of Fig. 16. Fig. 17 is a vertical section of the part of the machine where the manufactured matches are discharged from the ,endless carrier. Fig. 18 is a section taken on line 18 18 of Fig. 17. Fig. 1Q is a diagrammatic View showing the operation of the intercalary clearer.

The machine comprises, in the first place, a distributer in which the undipped matches are thrown haphazard and which has for its object to arrange them in the grooves of a lower table, whence a set of needles expels them into tubes of any suitable shape provided in a transporting-carriage that brings them in front of the holes of an endless carrier, into which they are put by pressure. This distributer, Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 6, consists of four principal parts, one of which is a receptacle A of hopper shape, closed at its lower part by a bottom formed of a series of semicylindrical channels a, which are arranged side by side and in the forward parts of which there are formed apertures a', intended to IOO allow the matches to fall into passages A. This receptacle A is hinged at a2 to the rear edge of the passages hereinafter referred to. It is iitted with two rollers a3, which run on rails a4, which are carried by the general framing of the machine and are formed with a bend at a5. The passages A are formed by partitions dividing the compartment into a series of cells a6, having inclined bottoms, each cell being situated under a corresponding channel a of the case. These passages are supported at the rear part of the arranger A2, hereinafter referred to. The arranger A2 has the shape of a rectangular box subdivided by thin partitions al into a series of bottomless compartments which correspond to the cells a0 of the passages. The arranger is su pported by a table A2, connected to the general framing on which it slides. This sliding motion parallel to the general axis of the machine is eifected by means of a lever as, having its fulcrum at a9 on the framing and its free end al connected to a knob all, carried by the arranger A2. with a roller cl2, rolling in the groove of a cam cl2, which is mounted on a shaft C014, re-

ceiving its motion from the main driving-` shaft X through the medium of an auxiliary shaft als, connected at one end to the shaftj a through bevel-wheels am and al? and at thel other end to the main shaft by means of heli-l with a series of vertical partitions (121, linter-` sected by horizontal baiiles 0.22. These Vertical partitions extend from the top of the magazine and terminate about half-way from the bottom thereof. Other partitions @22, preferably placed farther apart than the first ones, are arranged near the bottom of the magazine in such a manner as to leave between them and the upper partitions an eutirely free space of some centimeters and another free space of about two centimeters between their bases and the bottom of the magazine. The magazine is provided at its base and on its front with a brush @24, fixed by` The magazine has imparted to it screws c25. a horizontal trembling motion perpendicular to the principal axis of the machine by means of a connecting-rod Q26, join ted at one end to a knob e127, fixed on the side of the magazine, and at the other end to a knob Q22, forming part of a lever 0,29, whose f ulcru m as@ is carried by the general framing and whose free end is provided with a roller 121, which slides in the groove of'a cam @22, keyed on the shaft 61,14, driven from the main shaft X, as herein before described. The operation of this distributer is as follows, (see Figs. 2, 3, 5, and 6:) The This lever is provided matches are thrown into the receptacle A, which in its first position (shown in dotted 4lines in Fig. 2) has its forward part lowered onto the passages A. In this position it receives a series of jolts from the cam als, which has for this purpose a portion of its groove corrugated at @22. These j olts have for their object to cause a certain number of matches to move down in each of the passages A through the slits a. A sli glitly-greater corru gation 01,3A1 of the cam-groove causes the entirety A A A2 to move forward several centimeters in such a manner that the rollers a2 of the receptacle mount the bend d5 of the rails and cause the receptacle to tip backward, with the objects of gathering the matches together in the rear portion thereof and Varresting their fall into the passages. A new series of jolts produced by a series ofother short corrugations L35 of the cam cl3 acts upon the matches that are inthe passages and has forits object to cause them to fall and Abe arranged in the arranger.

vmatches that it contains over the magazine A4, which at that moment is stopped by means of a rest or circular part @27, formed in the cam @22, which produces the movements of the magazine. The receptacle, the passages, and the arranger return to their initial position, and thisoperation. is repeated indefinitely.

The rocking movement of the receptacle A has for its object to stop the delivery of matches during their arrangement in the arranger A2 and to prevent this arrangement from being interfered with by the continual fall of fresh matches. The magazine which has received the matches receives in its turn a shaking movement in the direction indicated.

For the proper working of the machine it is advisable first of all to fill the magazine up to the level of the lower part of the baffles ct22. When this filling has been once done, the shakingimparted to the magazine causes the machine to move down between the partitions L21 and the baffles 0,22, so as to keep up the supply of undipped matches, which tends to become exhausted through the delivery of the machine. All that is necessary, therefore, is to keep the level of the matches between the first and the last baflle @22. To effect this result, the orifices a of the channels of the case A must be made such that the delivery is copious enough to sufice for IOO IIO

dle-carrier b', which is'provided on each side with a guiding-rod b2, Asliding in slideways b3 in the general framing. As, on the other hand, the ends of the needles B never leave the grooves of the table B, the result is that this entirety B b' is suitably guided. This set of needles has a horizontal alternating motion, as will be hereinafter described. In the forward movement of the needles their ends drive out the matches that have fallen into the grooves Z7 of the table and convey them into the corresponding grooves of the transporting-carriage hereinafter described. This transporting-carriage (see Figs. 3, 4, 4ta, 5, 7, 7, 8, and 10) consists of a grooved plate c, projected on brackets from and forming part of a frame C, provided with ears c, Figs. 4a, 10, and l0, through each of which there extends a guide-rod 015, connected to the general framing E. This carriage has a horizontal to-and-fro motion, as hereinafter described, partly beneath the table B, the plate c being on a level with the table B, so that when the carriage is in the position shown in Fig. 7 the grooves in plate c form a continuation of the grooves in table B. At the rear of plate cis arranged a bar C', terminating in two rollers c' c', which in the to-and-fro movement of the carriage run on a fixed ramp c2, carried by the general framing. The slope of this ramp is made such as to cause the said bar to move up and down during the to-and-fro motion of the carriage. It is guided by two anglepieces ci), which are fixed at the rear of the carriage, and thus form a vertical slideway for the said bar. In front of the carriage C and quite close up against the endless carrier is arranged a fixed crossbar C2, (see Figs. 4ta, 7, 7, 8, and 9,) carried by the general framing and having its lower face ush with the upper face of the grooved plate c of the transporting-carriage. At the rear of this cross-bar C2 there is arranged a comb C3, Whose teeth correspond in position to the grooves in the plate c. This comb is carried at the rear of the cross-bar C2 in such a manner that it may receive an alternating motion in a vertical plane-that is, the crossbar is provided with `pins or projections c3, which slide in elongated openings c4, formed in the comb. To raise and lower the comb in the desired way, a small latch c at each end of the comb is so pivoted thereto at c6 that when acted upon from the left, Figs. 7a and 4, the latch bears against the comb-support and so forms a rigid connection with the comb. It may then be raised by riding on the incline of a ramp c7, fixed to the carriage, when said ramp is moved in the direction of the arrow in full lines, Fig. 7a; but the pivot c6 allows the latch c5 to yield when acted upon from the right. The transportingcarj riage is further provided at each of its edges with a series of teeth a8, carried on supports C4, Figs. 7, 8, and lO, which supports are formed in one with the grooved plate c, the vertical distance separating these teeth o8 being equal row of grooves of the plate c of the carriage C.

The operation of this portion of the machine is as follows: Each groove of the table B is charged with a match as a result of the movement of the magazineAt At the moment when the carriage C reaches its extreme rear position, Fig. 7, near the table B the needles B push the matches into the grooves of the grooved plate c of the said carriage. the needles are moved back, so as to free the grooves b and to make room for a fresh series of matches coming from the magazine. At the same time the carriage C moves forward toward the endless carrier D, (see Fig. 73,) moving with it the bar C', whose end rollers c roll on the ramps c2. Before the carriage charged with matches passes under the cross-bar C2 the inclined position of the ramps c7 of the said carriage, acting upon the latches c5 of the comb C3 in the direction of the arrow in full lines in Fig. 7, causes the latch to become rigid with the comb, and the latch riding up the incline raises the comb in such a manner as to give free passage to the matches contained in the grooves of the carriage. The carriage then moves forward under the cross-bar C2, and when itis completely engaged the rear bar C' is raised by the ramp c2. (See Fig. 8.). Each match is thus completely imprisoned in a tube which is open only at its forward part and is formed by a groove of the grooved plate c of the carriage C, the cross-bar C2, and the rear bar Of. The carriage continuesits advance, and the teeth o8 of the support C4 engage in the holes d of the endless carrier D and insure the fixing of the endless carrier at the exact place it ought to occupy for charging-that is to say, at that moment a row of countersunk holes d of the carrier D is stopped just opposite the grooves of the plate of the carriage. The carriage C, continuing its forward move-v ment, pushes the row of matches into the corresponding countersunk holes d of the carrier D. In consequence of the special arrangement just described, by means of which each match is completely imprisoned in a tube formed by the groove of plate c and the cross-bar C2, it is capable of resisting the rather considerable pressure exerted by the rear bar C' that is necessary for fixing the match firmly in the endless carrier. At this moment the rear end of the ramp c7 of the carriage having moved beyond the nose of the latch c5 the latter falls behind the said ramp and moves with it in its fall the comb C3 in such a manner as to return the lower ends of the teeth of the comb to the level of the bottom of the grooves in plate c of the carriage Then IOS

IIO

\ the inclined portion of the ram.

C. The carriage then returns to the rear, leaving the matches fixed in the endless carrier D. The rear bar C moves down again and uncovers the rear end of the grooves. The carriage continuing its return movement the teeth of `the comb engage in the said grooves and clean them completely. The comb has, in fact, remained lowered in consequence of the hinge c6 of the latch c5, which allows the latch to assume an inclination toward the rear and become of no effect in the return movement of the ramp c7, whereas in the forward movement of the said ramp the latch bears against the rear of the cross-bar, and thus forms a rigid connection, which compels the comb to rise under the action of The carriage continues its rearward movement until it is close to the iixedvgrooved table B, and the series of movements is repeated indefinitely.

The movements of the needle-carrier and of the transporting-carriage may be effected in any suitable manner-for instance, as follows, Figs. 2, 3, and 4: Upon the base-plate e of the general framing E there are fixed four caps or blocks e', serving as fulcra to two jointed parallelograms composed of levers b4 b5 and cross-pieces h6, each carrying two rollers 57. These rollers are operated by a double cam bs, keyed on the main shaft X of the machine, which imparts to the said parallelogram a to-and-fro motion,which is transmitted by the free ends of the levers b5 and connections 199 to the knobs b1@ of the needle-carrier b. The base-plate e carries two other caps or blocks c2, which serve as points of attachment for levers 019, each of which carries two rollers C10, rolling on the peripheries of double cams c, keyed on the main shaft X of the machine. The free ends of these levers 019 drive, through the medium of connections cl2, knobs cl3, carried by the lugs 014 of the carriage C for conveying into the endless carrier.

The endless carrier, Figs. 4', 7, 7, 8, 9, and l1, hereinbefore referred to, consists of a continuous succession of metal plates D, perforated with several rows of holes d', countersunk at both ends, each line of holes corresponding to the row of matches brought by the transporting-carriage. At each end of the plate and in front of each row of small countersunk holes CZ there is formed a hole CZ of larger size and of oval or other suitable shape corresponding to the teeth cs of the support C4 of the carriage C. The rows of holes d are equidistant from one another in each plate D, and the distance that separates the last row of one plate from the first row of the following plate is equal to the distance between two consecutive rows in a plate. The plates D are connected together in the form of an endless apron or continuous carrier by means of links d2, which stay together two adjacent plates. (See Fig. ll.) For this purpose the ends of each plate are terminated by trunnions d3, the shoulder d* of which has an elongated, flattened, oval, or generally non-circular section, the body cl3 of the same being cylindrical. Each link cl2 is doubly bent and has two holes (one being iiattened or elongated and the other being circular) corresponding, respectively, to the shoulder and the body of the journal. Rollers d5, mounted on the ends of the journals, facilitate the running of the carrier on the rails and the guidewheels D. The elongated or flattened part d4, formed on the shoulders of the journals, has for its obj ect to prevent the relative shifting of the plates with reference to the links, the latter having a perfectly-defined position whatever may be the position of the chain. The central plane of each link coincides with that of the axes of two successive plates, so that the plates cannot accidentally turn separately and cause sticking of the matches of two adjacent plates.

At each change of direction of the endless carrier it passes around guide-wheels or drums D', provided with notches or sockets d6, corresponding to the rollers d5 of the carrier. These wheels are mounted in pairs upon shafts cZ7, which are carried in any suitable manner by the general framing.

At each revolution of the main .shaft X, immediately after the introduction of a row of matches, the endless carrier advances to an extent equal to the distance between two successive rows of holes. The regularity of this intermittent forward movement is insured in the following manner, (see Figs. 1 and 3:) At one end of each of the shafts d are keyed two ratchet-wheels als (i9, the one (Z8 with a running-detent--. e., with ordinary teeth-and the other with a rest-detent-z'. c., with double-Hank teeth. The rods d10, which have a'n oscillating movement,carry two spurs d e112. The first, C211, operates a lever (Z13, mounted loosely on the shaft di and carrying a drivin g-pawl (ZM, acting on the ratchet-wheel d8 with running-detent. The second spur C112 operates a second lever C115, which has a pivot dw, supported by the framework, and whose nose becomes engaged at the desired moment in the spaces between the teeth of the second ratchet-wheel di. A stop-pawl d, pivoted to the framework, keeps the ratchet-wheel cl in its position of rest. This collection of parts is repeated at each change of direction of the carrier. The rods d10 are connected together by means of simple levers C118 or bell-crank levers d, according to circumstances and in such a manner that they will all move quite rigidly together. lt is therefore sufcient to operate a single one placed in proximity to the main shaft X. For this purpose the rod d10 is jointed to the free end of a lever d20, which is xed to the base-plate e, and whose other end carries a roller dm, that travels in the groove of a cam d, keyed on the main shaft X. The operation of this arrangement is as follows: When a row of matches has been put into the endless carrier and the rods d10 are commencing their forward movement,

IOO

the spurs Cl11 push the levers C11s and communicate to the chain, through the pawls C214 and the ratchet-wheels d8, a general movement equal to the distance between two rows of matches. The movement of the spur CP2 permits the lever CZ15 to advance into contact with the periphery of the teeth of the wheel CZE, and at the precise moment when the driving-pawl d has terminated its stroke the nose of the lever C215 is opposite a space of the wheel C19 and engages therein under the iniuence of its spring. The chain is then stopped suddenly and cannot pass its stoppin g-point whatever be the inertia of the part in motion. At the same time the stoppingpawl Cl17 passes into a tooth-space ot' the ratchet-wheel CZS. In the return movement of the rods 1010 the spur du in receding allows the driving-pawls Cl to return. Then the spur CZ12 bears in its turn upon the lever C115, so as to disengage its nose from the wheel d", and then the entirety of the wheels CZ8 d9 is held merely by the stopping-pawl d". The series of movements is reproduced in this manner indefinitely. After the match splints or stems have been put into the endless carrier the chain carrying them becomes horizontal and passes over the burning, sulfuring or parafning, and steeping vat, (Figs. 12, 13, and 14.)

The burning and sulfuring table forms an entirety, constituted by a metallic vat F, which is iiat and supported by an auxiliary frame f on a base-plate e of the general framework. This vat is furnished on its sides with reservoirs or pockets f', in each of which works an Archimedean screw f2, carried by a small support f3 and rotating Within a sheath f4, at the upper end of which is arranged a weir f5, whose level is slightly higher than that of the edge ot' the general vat. Aset of pulleys fif, of which one,f6, is xed on the axle of the Archimedean screw and the other two are on an auxiliary axis f8, serves for turning the screw by means ot'a cord fg, which also passes around a pulley f1", keyed on the main shaft X. In the vat and the lateral reservoirs f are arranged a series of almost juxtaposed steam-pipes fu, whose joints are all at the two ends of the vat. All these joints are embedded in metallic masses]12 fis, which are cast at each end and which protect them against the corrosive action of the molten sulfur. One of these metallic masses f12 constitutes the burnin g-table, and the sulfurbath is situated between the vertical sides of the two metallic masses f12 f 13, which form its end walls, the side walls being formed by the partitions that separate the vat, properly socalled, from the reservoirs. Rails f14 are arranged at the sides of the vat to form a way for the endless carrier. Their proiile exhibits, first of all, a horizontal part corresponding to the metallic mass fm, that forms a burning-table, they being placed at-a height such that the matches are iiush with the upper part of this metallic mass. Then the rail is deflected toward the base at the commencement of the sulfur-bath. Afterward their profile exhibits a horizontal part and then rises at the exit of the sulfur-bath over the metallic mass f 13. The object of this arrangement is to secure a constant level in the vat in the following manner: The upper edge Of the partitionsfl, forming a weir, insures the tixity of the level of the sulfur or ofthe parafiin in the vat. The distance between this edge and the rail f14 has been determined in such a manner as to limit the sulfuring or paraning to a suitable height on the head of the matches. The Archimedean screw, drawing the melted sulfur from the lateral reservoirs, constantly spreads it over the weirsfi, whence it escapes into the vat7 F, properly so called. The quantity of sulfur or of paraffin thus introduced is slightly greater than that which is carried away by the matches. The excess returning over the edges of the partitions f15 into the lateral reservoirs or pockets f the desired permanent arrangement for the automatic feeding with constant level is thus established.

With the sulfuring is combined a cleaner G, (see Figs. 1 and 12%) situated in front of the sulfuring-va't F and intended to remove any matches that may accidentally become stuck onthe heads of the matches that are properly fixed in the carrier. This device comprises a shaft g, which is mounted in two supports g', attached to the framing in any suitable manner, and carries at one end a pulley g2, connected, by means of a belt g3, with a shaft X for driving the dipping mechanism. Nee- .dles g4 are xed radially to the said shaft and are arranged in the middle of the intervals between the longitudinal lines of the matches in such a manner as not to meet any good matches during their rotation and to eliminate all badly-arran ged matches. A circular brush g5, mounted on an axle g, journaled in the same supports g and connected to the axle g by means of a train of toothed wheels g7, rotates in the opposite direction and effects the elimination of the bad matches by cansing them to vfall into a vessel g8, containing water or other liquid. After having passed over the cleaner the carrier passes to the dipping mechanism, (see Figs. 1, 15, 16, and 16%) which comprises a trough H, having a double bottom and mounted on the base-plate eof the general framing E by means of any suitable support h'. Upon theouter wall of the double bottom are mounted pipe-unions h and h2 for the entry and exit of hot water, respectively. This trough l-I is provided laterally with two cast-iron cheeks h3, which are tted internally with two guiding-sockets or slideways h4 and on one side with a bracket h5, intended to carry the parts for driving the dipping-plate, as hereinafter described. In these guidesockets there slide two rods h6, carrying at their base a plate l1', of prism shape, the upper face of which is flat and horizontal, while its lower part is wedge-shaped. The trough is also provided with two supports h7, forinioo IIO 

